Posted by AdventureDan but also this site is so dead compared to when it was in it's peak, I don't even think those groups look here anymore. Why would they when there's a million instagram posts of more than all the spots we share here possibly with the location tagged.

True enough I have friends that are deputies. I know the local district attorney, and I know for a fact they don't spend any time looking here or on social media for trespassers.

I also know they do use social media a lot in criminal cases, like every day. So any of you crooks or future felons out there watch what you post.

Posted by 2Xplorations I also know they do use social media a lot in criminal cases, like every day. So any of you crooks or future felons out there watch what you post.

The feds also have at least 3 supercomputers online recording, actively monitoring among other things all internet traffic/sites state side.
Yes, they have a huge db... and it has powerful search tools.

You're not invisible on the internet in the least; expect they can backdoor any site and see the data streams realtime.
Realize an FBI Agent can choose to enforce any local, federal or state law they wish to... you don't want their attentions.
They can lean on you hard and they excel at it

Posted by 2Xplorations True enough I have friends that are deputies. I know the local district attorney, and I know for a fact they don't spend any time looking here or on social media for trespassers. I also know they do use social media a lot in criminal cases, like every day. So any of you crooks or future felons out there watch what you post.

If you go back and look at a post I wrote Are "They" watching us? I documented a white paper written by Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining that goes into great detail about how they monitor underground exploring websites. And in fact, I had written two long posts about the state of mine exploring on the forum, and they were quoted at length in that paper.

I also worked for a law enforcement / regulatory agency, and I guarantee that their intel section pays attention to various forms of social media.

Not all law enforcement agencies spent time monitoring social media, but there are agencies whose area of responsibility does result in them actively monitoring social media, either for certain types of activities or for specific individuals. Your local sheriff's office may not care a lot about certain things, but the Department of Homeland Security may very well. State and Federal law enforcement agencies are much more intertwined than most of you are aware.

It's not paranoia, it's fact.

Abby

Posted by Abby Normal If you go back and look at a post I wrote Are "They" watching us? I documented a white paper written by Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining that goes into great detail about how they monitor underground exploring websites. And in fact, I had written two long posts about the state of mine exploring on the forum, and they were quoted at length in that paper. I also worked for a law enforcement / regulatory agency, and I guarantee that their intel section pays attention to various forms of social media. Not all law enforcement agencies spent time monitoring social media, but there are agencies whose area of responsibility does result in them actively monitoring social media, either for certain types of activities or for specific individuals. Your local sheriff's office may not care a lot about certain things, but the Department of Homeland Security may very well. State and Federal law enforcement agencies are much more intertwined than most of you are aware. It's not paranoia, it's fact. Abby

As someone who was prosecuted in a Texas criminal court for trespassing with my own blog used as evidence against me, I can say with confidence that this is 100% true.

I've been here 10 years, very active at one point when I was very active in exploring. Its obvious that the site is dieing, there is no getting away from that. We are al getting older, life happens. I happen to get a job that would be compromised if something happened at a location, so I decided to slow down my exploring. It will never stop and I do need to remember to post about the ones i do go on here more.

I am a lurker in the night.

Posted by xGROMx I've been here 10 years, very active at one point when I was very active in exploring. Its obvious that the site is dieing, there is no getting away from that. We are al getting older, life happens. I happen to get a job that would be compromised if something happened at a location, so I decided to slow down my exploring. It will never stop and I do need to remember to post about the ones i do go on here more. I am a lurker in the night.

The site is certainly slowing down, but in a way that's not necessarily a bad thing. Certainly, the site has lost some really great explorers. But the up side is that the long-timers that are still here tend to be pretty solid explorers. I would say I joined UER about the time it was starting to slow down. From what I can tell there is less drama now then when I joined. There is also less "noise" from endless folks joining, posting like crazy for a few months, then disappearing into the darkness. It's almost like the forum has moved past being the latest fad, and into a gathering place for like minded people.

Life does happen! Some jobs aren't conducive to law enforcement issues. I was also in that position where an arrest would have put my job in very serious jeopardy. More than likely would have ended my career with my agency. Gotta' take care of business first.

Abby

The person that introduced me to exploring told me about this place (with mention that it's pretty inactive) but I still ended up making an account.

Maybe it's cause I'm older, and the outdated BBS style has some weird nostalgic appeal, but I weirdly prefer browsing here. People have been pretty supportive and encouraging so far and it beats the hell outta Reddit or YT where all people talk about in the comments is how to get into a place...

Also, I think this thread alone is proof positive that people still care about UER.

Posted by android_eyez The person that introduced me to exploring told me about this place (with mention that it's pretty inactive) but I still ended up making an account. Maybe it's cause I'm older, and the outdated BBS style has some weird nostalgic appeal, but I weirdly prefer browsing here. People have been pretty supportive and encouraging so far and it beats the hell outta Reddit or YT where all people talk about in the comments is how to get into a place... Also, I think this thread alone is proof positive that people still care about UER.

Love to see new members actually posting and contributing. Thanks for your post here, and loved your IR post. That's the kinda stuff we need.

Another new member i'm looking at is AsbestosE-liquid. Just think it's important to let you guys know your efforts are noticed and appreciated.

Hey everyone,

My life has changed quite a bit since nearly 20 years ago when I founded UER. It doesn't occupy the same place in my life as it did then.

The community here is still amazing and exploring is something I will always love in my heart. But I've found other things to spark my creativity.

UER isn't going anywhere -- I will keep it online as long as possible, and if it ever becomes impossible, I'll try to keep a static archive online. But also there will probably not be any major updates either.

Keep exploring!

Posted by Avatar-X Hey everyone, My life has changed quite a bit since nearly 20 years ago when I founded UER. It doesn't occupy the same place in my life as it did then. The community here is still amazing and exploring is something I will always love in my heart. But I've found other things to spark my creativity. UER isn't going anywhere -- I will keep it online as long as possible, and if it ever becomes impossible, I'll try to keep a static archive online. But also there will probably not be any major updates either. Keep exploring!

Odin be with you

I recently attended a large urbex meetup, and got the chance to talk to a bunch of members of the community both old and new. I had a lot of interesting discussions and have thought about this for a while now, so strap in for a long post.

When the topic of UER came up among the old guard, the general response was "wow, people still use that site?" Meanwhile the younger members leaned towards "I never really got into it, I already primarily communicate via Instagram." UER is often regarded as too public and not trustworthy enough, and from some of the stories I was told, not without reason. As a result, most communication has moved to private group chats or regional forums entirely separate from UER.

Furthermore, around 2014 (when I first joined), Instagram was just becoming big and a bunch of rookies posted locations there without knowing or caring about discretion. This blew up several prominent locations and caused the established community to lock itself down with a severe pushback against anyone using Instagram and unwillingness to bring new members into the fold. The effects of that reaction can still be seen in the community today- there were around a hundred people at the meetup I went to, but the number of those under 25 years old could be counted on both hands with fingers left over. From about 2014 to very recently, the established community shut itself away from rookies.

This brings me to the next issue- time. Somebody there told me about their theory on the Five Stages of an Urban Explorer. These go as follows:

Stage 1: Rookie. New, prone to making some mistakes, still learning the ropes. Stage 2: Rising Explorer. Experienced and competent, but still new-ish to the community and not quite ready to do some of the more hardcore stuff solo. Stage 3: Pinnacle Explorer- the height of explorerhood. They're highly knowledgeable, well traveled, and hitting stuff all other stages only dream of. Difficulty and risk are their bread and butter. These are the glory days of any explorer. Usually mid twenties to mid thirties in age. Stage 4: Slowing Down: Age and commitments cause the explorer to slow down. They don't explore as often, travel as far, or take so many risks. Late Stage 4 explorers don't even explore outside of meetups anymore, though they are still part of the community. Stage 5: Write a book. The stage 5 explorer has hung up his respirator and flashlight, and no longer explorers. They'll probably write a book and publish their adventures now that the locations are gone and the statue of limitations has expired.

Much of the community is made up of stage 4 explorers, and that's partially why many old faces and names aren't around here anymore. Furthermore, the community itself has grown too big for a single pillar to support it's weight. UER is no longer the primary venue for the established community, and though it's a great gateway for rookies the propensity of longtime forum members to chase away anyone who makes mistakes (even though they probably made the same mistakes in their youth, before they had the internet to post it on) drives away new blood- especially since they now have options, and if they don't feel welcome on UER can just as easily go to Instagram.


UER is a great resource and an incredible wealth of history and information, but the simple fact of the matter is that those of us on here are a minority in the exploring community these days, because the exploring community has fragmented. Many established explorers are long gone, either because they retired from urbex or moved to smaller, more tightly knit community hubs. As for the new explorers, they either feel they aren't welcome and go where they think they will be, or never find UER in the first place because Instagram is more accessible.

I'll still be around of course and I'm sure many of you will be too, but the glory days of this site are gone and probably won't be coming back. We're poking the dying embers of a bonfire, still sitting around it long after the rest of the party went home.

^Sploring isn't like aging or a disease with it's final stages.

♤When peeps have the money and it doesn't conflict with their priorities, they explore.
When they do there's no obligation to post it here.
It's a favor (or should be)to other UE members if they to choose to...
There are many valid reasons not to post explores here as well.

Constantly doing something you wuv can burn you to a crisp even kill you.
Holidays of varying lengths is good for most things in life and extends life.
After over half a century of exploring I've learned there are many things to explore.
And some things you should leave the fuck alone.

Many of those things aren't UE... which brings me back to the ace.

Posted by Aran UER is a great resource and an incredible wealth of history and information, but the simple fact of the matter is that those of us on here are a minority in the exploring community these days, because the exploring community has fragmented. Many established explorers are long gone, either because they retired from urbex or moved to smaller, more tightly knit community hubs. As for the new explorers, they either feel they aren't welcome and go where they think they will be, or never find UER in the first place because Instagram is more accessible. I'll still be around of course and I'm sure many of you will be too, but the glory days of this site are gone and probably won't be coming back. We're poking the dying embers of a bonfire, still sitting around it long after the rest of the party went home.

Poignant and truthful Aran.

Especially find the stages of an explorer very precise. I myself am probably transitioning into that stage 4 category, as i have a son now and my wife won't let me go after targets that may end in a helicopter chase lmao.

And I agree with everything you have said as far as accessibility and newcomers feeling unwelcome.

That's why this year I plan on doing whatever i can to revive and welcome members to this forum. I'll be putting as much effort as is practical into coordinating meetups for my local area, and inviting explorers from other platforms here.

If it doesn't amount to much, that's fine. At least I can let those embers die knowing I kept them kindled the best i could.

At the very least it's my way of giving back.

Posted by Avatar-X Hey everyone, My life has changed quite a bit since nearly 20 years ago when I founded UER. It doesn't occupy the same place in my life as it did then. The community here is still amazing and exploring is something I will always love in my heart. But I've found other things to spark my creativity. UER isn't going anywhere -- I will keep it online as long as possible, and if it ever becomes impossible, I'll try to keep a static archive online. But also there will probably not be any major updates either. Keep exploring!

Thanks for all your hard work.

I fully understand the part about certain things not occupying the same place in your life. Same with me.

I have so many hobbies and interests that I frequency hop back and forth across the spectrum to certain ones while leaving others behind for a while.

I eventually come back to the ones I left from time to time.

Cheers!